NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD (1968)

5 stars

Criterion Collection. 4K UHD + Blu ray. Out Now

Probably one of the most famous horror films of all time and hugely influential, George A. Romero’s low budget NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, still resonates to this day. Due to the vagaries of copyright, or lack thereof (which is explained in the extras), this is a film that has been released innumerable times on home entertainment by a myriad of labels over the years. Usually in poor condition.

Thankfully Criterion are bringing us this fabulous new release, utilising a 4K restoration which was supervised by Romero himself, along with co-screenwriter John A. Russo, sound engineer Gary R. Streiner and producer Russell W. Streiner, to give you potentially the definitive version of this classic.

I am sure I don’t need to tell anyone here what this about – just in case, here’s the short form. A bunch of disparate folks find themselves holed up and trapped in a remote farmhouse, attempting to stay alive as outside are marauding flesh eating ghouls.

Not only do you get this sparkling, scrubbed up presentation of this mono masterpiece, you also get a whole bunch of extras.

Steve Kirkham

EXTRAS

Two audio commentaries from 1994 featuring Romero, Russo, producer Karl Hardman, actor Judith O’Dea and others.

A workprint of the film under the title Night of the Anubis.

Light in the Darkness: (23 mins) From 2017 with filmmakers Frank Darabont, Guillermo del Toro and Robert Rodriguez discussing the importance and impact of the film and how it inspired them in their endeavours.

Dailies: 18 minutes of silent 16mm raw footage and alternate takes introduced by Gary Streiner.

Learning from Scratch: (11 mins) an interview with John Russo from 2017 where he discusses working at Latent Image shooting commercials and the like, which enabled them all to learn the ropes of how to make films. Features clips from some of the adverts they created.

TV Newsreel: (2 mins) taken from a VHS recording showing behind the scenes footage – the only known to exist.

Walking Like the Dead: (13 mins). Interviews with various cast and crew of what it was like to be ghouls. Originally shot for the 2009 documentary Autopsy of the Dead.

Tones of Terror (11 mins): about the use of library music in the film.

Limitations into Virtues: (11 mins). Ones of those video essays.

Tomorrow: (18 mins). Excerpts from a 1979 episode of NBC’s Tomorrow TV show where Romero and director Don Coscacrelli are interviewed.

Higher Learning: (45 mins) Romero is interviewed in 2012 at the Toronto Film Festival.

Plus: Audio interview with Duane Jones from 1987; 1994 interview with Judith Ridley; Venus Probe: 1967 newsreel about the Mariner 5; Trailers; TV spots; Radio Spots